Tools, Money & other items stolen while at a job site. Can I do anything?
~Kk~ asked:
My husband had his tool-box stolen while at a job site. Bad thing about it besides the loss of it and the tools was that he also had his weekly check in CASH in it. Debit card and drivers license as-well. We called and reported the debit card and had it canceled. Had the police come and filed a report, but we want to know if we can file on any insurance. The tool box was in the house that they were working on. This was new construction so there was no door knobs or locks. It was left for 1 hour on the kitchen counter top. The cash is the most important being that it is our means or paying bills. Any legal advise would be highly appreciated. Or if you have been threw this. Please no responses about it’s your loss.
He does know it isbad to have that much cash on hand but this week his boss paid him that morning in cash, and he rode with another worker so he couldn’t lock it in his truck. They only left to take or get some tools from the shop sad thing is that it only takes a min for someone to walk in and take his tool box. The police questioned neighbors and found out this happened to them as-well while they were having their home built. Or to the workers I should say. It sickings me that people can be like this and steal rather they knew the cash was in there or not. My hub works hard for what he makes and now we have to suffer.
My husband had his tool-box stolen while at a job site. Bad thing about it besides the loss of it and the tools was that he also had his weekly check in CASH in it. Debit card and drivers license as-well. We called and reported the debit card and had it canceled. Had the police come and filed a report, but we want to know if we can file on any insurance. The tool box was in the house that they were working on. This was new construction so there was no door knobs or locks. It was left for 1 hour on the kitchen counter top. The cash is the most important being that it is our means or paying bills. Any legal advise would be highly appreciated. Or if you have been threw this. Please no responses about it’s your loss.
He does know it isbad to have that much cash on hand but this week his boss paid him that morning in cash, and he rode with another worker so he couldn’t lock it in his truck. They only left to take or get some tools from the shop sad thing is that it only takes a min for someone to walk in and take his tool box. The police questioned neighbors and found out this happened to them as-well while they were having their home built. Or to the workers I should say. It sickings me that people can be like this and steal rather they knew the cash was in there or not. My hub works hard for what he makes and now we have to suffer.
If your husband works as an independent subcontractor, he can try filing on his own insurance. If he is an employee, there may not be anything you can do but wait to see if the police find the person. It is highly unlikely you will get anything back, though, even if filed on insurance. It was your husband’s fault for leaving it in a place he knew was unlocked and unsecured. The insurance will blame it on him.
You did well to report the theft to the police. If you own your home you may be able to make a claim on your home owner’s policy. If you are renting and have renter’s insurance then see if you had coverage for that as well. Also, find out if your husband’s employer has any kind of insurance for on the job or if the builder has insurance for the construction site.
These are all viable avenues to explore. Additionally at income tax time you can claim it as a casualty loss on your federal income tax form, but I don’t think you can claim the loss of the cash.
I am not an attorney nor am I involved in law enforcement nor the insurance industry. In the meantime you may have to inform your creditors and try to work out details with them if you don’t have the money to cover living expenses.
It is a hard way to learn the lesson of not keeping a lot of cash on hand and especially in a tool box on a construction site.
~~Check with your homeowners policy, my husband is self employed and we have coverage on his tools. I don’t know if it will work on it being a job site but you can ask.
Also, if all else fails, you can keep a total of your losses for your income tax this year. It is definitely a write off.~~
Most homeowners policies only cover up to $200 in stolen money.
It depends on what type of homeowners policy you have as to what would be covered.
Your best bet is to call your insurance agent on Monday. They can assist you in filing a claim.
There’s a limited amount of coverage for business tools and cash, under your homeowners policy, if you have one. So you CAN file a claim under YOUR policy. You will have to make a police report first, as you will need the police report number for the insurance company.
However, if you’re asking, is the site owner or general contractor responsible for making good on the theft, the answer is no.
You’re on your own. Although you don’t want to HEAR that it’s your loss - no one else is responsible, except for the thief - IF you can find them.